Orange Chamber president retiring

Wednesday

Jul 30, 2014 at 2:00 AMJul 30, 2014 at 8:02 AM

MONTGOMERY — John D'Ambrosio, the face of Orange County business for three decades and a tireless champion of Stewart International Airport, will retire Thursday as president of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

James Walsh

MONTGOMERY — John D'Ambrosio, the face of Orange County business for three decades and a tireless champion of Stewart International Airport, will retire Thursday as president of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

His decision, which he announced Tuesday, drew recollections from business people of a tireless promoter of the region's commerce, who also worked behind the scenes to improve the everyday lives of county residents.

D'Ambrosio strove not only to make the county a fertile territory to grow businesses, "but also a great place to live and raise a family," said Alan Seidman, executive director of the Construction Contractors Association in Newburgh.

Seidman was president of the Cornwall Business Association in the early 1980s when he heard the then-Eastern Orange County Chamber of Commerce hired an educator — D'Ambrosio — as its leader. He doubted the wisdom of putting a nonbusiness person in the slot, and wasn't shy about sharing his thoughts with D'Ambrosio. The two, though, quickly became friends.

"I think his retirement will be a tremendous loss for the region," Seidman said. He mentioned D'Ambrosio's efforts beyond the chamber, including helping to plan and run the Stewart Military Appreciation Picnic every two years.

D'Ambrosio announced in March he intended to retire this year.

He and his wife, Marilyn, have a home in Myrtle Beach, S.C. They plan to move their business, Doc's Fine Woodcrafts, there.

D'Ambrosio, known as "Doctor John" for his doctoral degree in college and university administration, said he may look into returning to academia in his post-chamber life.

"It's been a great ride," he said. "I feel good about what we've been able to accomplish. And the people I've met have been great all along the way. It's been the greatest job in the world."

He was hired 33 years ago to head what was then one of two chambers in the county, and oversaw its 1997 merger with a rival organization on the western side of the county.

Maureen Halahan, CEO of the Orange County Partnership, said everyone knows D'Ambrosio for his endless support of Stewart International Airport. D'Ambrosio, she said, was instrumental in getting access roads constructed to the airport, including Route 747, which runs between routes 17K and 207. "He's been a tremendous leader for 33 years," Halahan said, "who's worked tirelessly for the business community of Orange County."

D'Ambrosio was unfailingly generous with his time and knowledge, said Scott Wohl, executive officer of the Hudson Valley Builders and Remodelers Association.

The chamber faces the challenge of finding a successor with D'Ambrosio's zeal, said James Petro, executive director of the Orange County Industrial Development Agency.

"He was always passionate about the job," Petro said, "and I hope that whoever replaces him has the same passion."

A chamber search committee has been at work since soon after D'Ambrosio said in March that he planned to retire this year. A successor will be picked soon, said Thomas Sullivan, chairman of the chamber's board of directors.

"What we're looking for is a person with a lot of energy," Sullivan said. "We're looking for someone who can hit the ground running, continue the progress that has been made, and make the chamber even bigger and stronger."